Three people have died and at least 32 others have been hospitalized in the Philippines after consuming stew made from an endangered sea turtle. BBC Informed. Dozens of indigenous Teduray people in a coastal town in Maguindanao del Norte province began experiencing symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps after eating the dish last week, officials said. Although hunting or consuming sea turtles is prohibited under environmental protection laws of the Philippines, these sea creatures continue to be consumed in some communities, where they are considered a traditional delicacy.
However, eating sea turtles, especially their meat or organs, can be extremely dangerous and potentially fatal. Sea turtles often carry toxins such as the naturally occurring biotoxin, chelonitoxin. Consuming their meat, fat or other parts can cause poisoning symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and even death in severe cases. Although the exact cause is unknown, according to the Turtle Foundation charity, it is believed to be linked to toxic algae that the turtles eat.
Irene Dillo, a local official, said BBC Some dogs, cats and chickens that ate sea turtle meat also died. He said authorities were currently investigating the deaths.
According to local media, most of the hospitalized residents have been discharged, while the three who died were immediately buried, following local traditions.
Councilor Datu Mohd Sinsuat Jr stressed the need to strictly enforce the ban on sea turtle hunting in the area. He vowed, “This incident of food poisoning will never happen again.”
Earlier this year, eight children and one adult died after eating sea turtle meat on Pemba island in the Zanzibar archipelago. Metro Informed. According to Makoani District Medical Officer, Dr Haji Bakri, 78 more people were admitted to hospital after eating the food on 5 March.
Similar cases have also been reported in the Indian Ocean islands of Indonesia, Micronesia and India. No cure for poison has been found yet.
